Alaska to restrict Medicaid funding of abortion

In a move sure to have devastating effects on low-income Alaska residents, the state is set to begin restricting Medicaid coverage of abortion as of February 2. Currently, only 15 states cover abortion with state Medicaid funding; if these restrictions go into effect as expected, that number will drop to 14.

Alaska is a state twice the size of Texas and only has 8 abortion providers. Simply getting an appointment can be a logistical puzzle that results in expensive delays for treatment, and with so few providers covering such a vast area, women often need to book a flight to get an abortion, increasing their costs.

Eliminating coverage for abortion will further reduce access for women who are already struggling to make ends meet.